Cardiovascular ICU Nurse Extern

Banner Thunderbird Medical Center is seeking nursing students to join our Cardiovascular ICU as Nurse Externs. This program is designed for Junior or Senior nursing students graduating within 12 months to gain hands-on clinical experience before obtaining their RN license. Working under the direct supervision of an RN preceptor, you will practice essential nursing skills in a Level I Trauma center and Tertiary Care facility.

This is an unlicensed extern position intended to bridge your nursing education and professional practice. Upon graduation and successful completion of the NCLEX, Banner's goal is to transition you into a New Graduate RN role within the same unit.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients and collect basic patient data in the EMR under direct RN supervision
• Administer medications, adjust IV pump rates, manage parenteral fluids and blood products, and perform IV flushes
• Initiate, titrate, and discontinue oxygen therapy
• Perform nursing skills for which you have received didactic and clinical instruction and can provide evidence of competency from your nursing program
• Participate in patient care planning, implementation, observation, and evaluation
• Identify and report significant patient observations to your preceptor
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams in planning and implementing patient care
• Spend time with clinical case managers and observe procedures relevant to the cardiovascular patient population
• Follow all safety standards, compliance requirements, and facility policies

Clinical Setting

Banner Thunderbird Medical Center is one of the largest campuses in the Banner Health network with over 3,000 employees. The facility is a premier West Valley Level I Trauma center for adults and Tertiary Care destination serving all ages. The hospital was voted Best of the Best in 2023 by Banner Health and holds a 5-star CMS rating. The Cardiovascular ICU provides care for complex cardiac patients in a high-acuity setting.

Schedule

• Day shift
• Minimum 12 hours per month
• Cannot exceed 20 hours per week

Required Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited nursing program (Bachelor's or Associate Degree in Nursing)
• Within 1 year of graduation at time of hire
• Able to graduate on your initial anticipated graduation date
• Current BLS certification
• Must pass the Nursing State Boards within 90 days after graduation, or if a second attempt is needed, within an additional 60 days from the first attempt

Important Employment Conditions

• This is an unlicensed extern position and is not permanent
• You must always work under the direct supervision of a designated licensed professional registered nurse
• You may not perform any skill independently or without direct RN supervision
• Employment will be impacted based on criteria outlined in the Nurse Extern Program policy
• Banner Health supports a drug-free work environment